10 things you need to know today: October 29, 2022

Man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband faces attempted murder charges, United Nations report describes alleged war crimes by Russian troops, and more

A view of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's house following an attack on her husband.
(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

1. Man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband faces attempted murder charges

The suspect whom police say violently attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is facing a long list of felony charges following a break-in at the couple's San Fransisco home. Police say the suspect, 42-year-old David Depape, is being arraigned on charges of attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary, and numerous other felonies. According to law enforcement, Depape broke into the couple's home on Friday in an attempt to find Nancy Pelosi, who was not home at the time, instead finding her husband. He then allegedly struck Pelosi with a hammer. While Pelosi required brain surgery, he is expected to make a full recovery.

Reuters NBC Bay Area

2. United Nations report describes alleged war crimes by Russian troops

A new report released earlier this month by a United Nations commission found that Russian troops in Ukraine had likely committed a vast array of heinous war crimes, including crimes perpetrated against children. As the war in Ukraine prepares to enter its ninth month, the U.N.'s report details allegations of widespread crimes, including torture, summary executions, rapes, and other forms of graphic sexual violence. While Russia has repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing, the U.N.'s report is based on nearly 200 interviews with members of the Ukrainian public in 27 different cities. One of the rapes described in the report reportedly involved a girl who was just four-years-old.

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3. At least 50 dead, dozens missing following flash floods in Philippines

At least 50 people have reportedly died and dozens more are missing following a series of flash floods and mudslides in a southern province of the Philippines. The disaster was triggered by a series of torrential rains that battered the region, Philippine officials said Saturday. Floodwaters ran through numerous villages in the Maguindanao province from Thursday into Friday, causing widespread destruction and resulting in structures being completed buried by mudslides. In one village, the tribal area of Kusiong, officials told The Associated Press that as many as 60 people were feared missing and buried following the storm. At least 13 bodies have already been retrieved, officials said.

Associated Press

4. Elon Musk to convene “content moderation council” for suspended Twitter accounts

Amidst concerns over misinformation following Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, the tech mogul said Friday that he would be forming a "content moderation council" to bring together "diverse views" on a variety of issues. Following Musk gaining control of the social media platform, there was a notable outcry that he would make changes allowing misinformation and hatred to spread rampantly on the app. He has also controversially committed to reinstating the account of former President Donald Trump, who previously had his account banned following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, Musk tweeted, "No major content decisions or account reinstatements will happen before the council convenes."

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The Guardian Bloomberg

5. Former President Obama campaigns in Georgia ahead of midterms

As the midterms creep ever closer, former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in Georgia to campaign for the state's Democratic senator, Raphael Warnock. During a speech Friday, which marked the former president's first major event of the campaign, Obama lambasted Warnock's opponent, Herschel Walker. Obama called Walker "someone who carries around a phony badge and says he is in law enforcement like a kid playing cops and robbers," and called the midterms a choice "between politicians who seem willing to do anything to get power and leaders who share our values, who see you and care about you."

CNN

6. Bolsonaro, Lula face off in final debate ahead of upcoming runoff vote

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faced his opponent, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on Friday in the pair's final debate ahead of the country's runoff vote this Sunday. Bolsonaro, a staunch right-winger who has been called the "Trump of the Tropics," sparred with Lula, a left-leaning candidate who previously served as president twice, over issues surrounding the other's records. The pair also attacked each other personally and accused their opponents of lying. Lula notably accused Bolsonaro of mishandling the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, a country in which the disease has killed nearly 700,000 people. Polls show that Lula has a slight lead in the polls over Bolsonaro.

Reuters The Guardian

7. Federal judge refuses to ban armed ballot watchers in Arizona

A federal judge on Friday ruled that a group in Arizona would be allowed to continue monitoring outdoor ballot drop boxes, despite some of the poll watchers reportedly appearing with ballistic vests, masks, and firearms in the state's largest county. U.S. District Court Judge Michael Liburdi said the case would remain open and that the group, Clean Elections USA, could not be barred from watching the polls, ruling that it would be a violation of the First Amendment. Liburdi added that the Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans, who had sued Clean Elections USA for alleged voter intimidation, could attempt to make their argument again, and that the case remained open.

Associated Press

8. Florida Board of Medicine approves new language against gender-affirming treatments

A committee of Florida's two medical boards on Friday approved new language that takes a significant step towards banning gender-affirming care for transgender children in the state. The Florida Board of Medicine and the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine approved the proposed language, which is part of an effort by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to create more stringent regulations surrounding transgender care. The new guidance claims there is not sufficient evidence to prove that gender-affirming care is okay for children, though the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have both said gender-affirming care is safe and effective. A final vote on the new language will be held on Nov. 4.

Politico

9. Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen officially announce divorce

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and NFL legend Tom Brady officially announced his divorce Friday from his wife, Gisele Bündchen, ending one of the most high-profile relationships in sports. Brady had been married to Bündchen, a Brazilian fashion model, for the past 13 years, but the couple had been marred in recent months by accusations of marital issues, mainly surrounding Brady's decision to continue playing football even after previously announcing his retirement. In a message on Instagram, "We arrived at this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way."

ESPN

10. Phillies rally past Astros in back-and-forth Game 1 of World Series

The Philadelphia Phillies continued their improbable run of victories Friday, besting the Houston Astros in a come-from-behind win in Game 1 of the World Series. Despite trailing 5-0 to the Astros by the third inning, the Phillies battled back, and eventually tied the game in the fifth inning thanks to a double from J.T. Realmuto. The game would remain tied all the way until the tenth inning, when Realmuto came up the hero again, smashing a home run into right field that put the Phillies ahead. Philadelphia's closers shut the door in the bottom of the inning, keeping Houston off the board and giving the Phillies the stunning Game 1 win.

ESPN

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